Are lead-free piezoelectrics more environmentally friendly?

Are lead-free piezoelectrics more environmentally friendly?

Considered as a less hazardous piezoelectric material, potassium sodium niobate (KNN) has been in the fore of the search for replacement of lead (Pb) zirconate titanate for piezoelectrics applications. Here, we challenge the environmental credentials of KNN due to the presence of ~60 wt% Nb2O5, a su...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:MRS communications 2017-03, Vol.7 (1), p.1-7
Main Authors: Ibn-Mohammed, T., Koh, S. C. L., Reaney, I. M., Sinclair, D. C., Mustapha, K. B., Acquaye, A., Wang, D.
Format: Article
Language:eng
Subjects:
Biomaterials
Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Materials Engineering
Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Polymer Sciences
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Summary:Considered as a less hazardous piezoelectric material, potassium sodium niobate (KNN) has been in the fore of the search for replacement of lead (Pb) zirconate titanate for piezoelectrics applications. Here, we challenge the environmental credentials of KNN due to the presence of ~60 wt% Nb2O5, a substance much less toxic to humans than Pb oxide, but whose mining and extraction cause significant environmental damage.
ISSN:2159-6859
2159-6867